Arriving at Karekare everyone dons their raincoats, and boy we will need them today! Both groups head up Ahuahu Track, and our group of 5 head up to the gate on Log Race Road, to admire the view of the rugged, dramatic cliffs, but they were behind a blanket of rain blasting its way across the valley. Back down to the junction to head into the Mercer Bay Loop Track, normally, I do say normally incredible views. Even Coman's Track which normally offers stunning views over Mercer Bay and back down to towards Karekare Beach, you guessed, was saturated. We managed to find a big Pohutukawa Tree with massive limbs to attempt to shelter under to devour lunch.
We knocked off the rest of Ahuahu, then headed up the road to link into Taiaire Track. The Karekare Falls surprisingly wasn't as vigorous as one might expect given the weather conditions, it still would have made a lovely photo, if I'd have been brave enough to exhume the camera from my pack. A waterproof camera is required for days like this! No loitering, and up the hill under the canopy of trees, providing us with a bit of cover. A couple of impressively sized boulders one being held in place by significantly large Pohutukawa roots, the other absolutely covered in native lilies clinging to the face. We reach the La Trobe Track junction, expecting to have to retrace our footsteps, as La Trobe was currently closed due to Kauri Dieback trial. But to our surprise, it's only the upper section of La Trobe that's closed, so we complete the loop down lower La Trobe Track back to the bus.
We were very grateful of our raincoats today, both as shelter from the wind as much as from the rain. Although it's been a sodden day in the boots, rain literally dripping down your legs and making the insides of your boots wet, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day and virtually no mud! Rough weather just puts a different spin on things. Everything is gleaming, raindrops on the leaves, trees, tracks, water dripping off everything, sheer cliffs, native lilies and orchids in full bloom everywhere, not to mention moody skies. So if in future you plan to do a particular tramp and the weather is inclement, come and give it a go anyway, you never know, you might actually enjoy the variation.